Crime
Victims killed in Brown University shooting ID’d as Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov and Ella Cook
Providence, R.I. — Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov has been identified as the second victim killed in the deadly shooting at Brown University on December 13, an incident that has deeply shaken the campus and communities across the country.
Family members and loved ones described Umurzokov as exceptionally kind, intelligent, and compassionate, with a natural warmth that left a lasting impression on everyone he met.
He was known for his sense of humor, humility, and unwavering willingness to help others without hesitation. Those closest to him said he consistently put the needs of others before his own and served as a role model within his family and community.
Umurzokov was a highly motivated student with ambitious dreams of becoming a neurosurgeon, hoping one day to dedicate his life to helping and healing others.
His curiosity, discipline, and generosity reflected both his personal character and the values instilled in him by his family and upbringing.
“More than a gifted student, Aziz was a beloved son, brother, and friend,” his family shared. “He had a future filled with promise, and his life was taken far too soon.” His death has left what they described as an immeasurable void in the lives of his family, friends, classmates, and the broader Uzbek American community.
In a statement, the American Uzbekistan Association extended its deepest condolences to Umurzokov’s family, expressing solidarity during this period of profound grief and gratitude for the outpouring of prayers and support from the public.
Family members have said that donations made in his memory will help cover immediate expenses, with remaining funds to be donated to charity in his name.
Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov will be remembered for his kindness, integrity, and potential, and for the light he brought into the lives of those around him.
Authorities have also confirmed the identity of the other victim as Ella Cook, a sophomore from Alabama. Cook was a parishioner at Cathedral Church of the Advent in downtown Birmingham, where she was remembered as an “incredible, grounded, faithful bright light” who consistently uplifted others.
During Sunday services, Rev. Craig Smalley spoke about Cook’s impact, noting her dedication to service and her ability to encourage and inspire those around her both at her church and at Brown University.
“Those who knew her knew she was an incredible light,” Smalley said. He urged the congregation to keep Cook’s family and loved ones in their prayers.
The shooting occurred shortly before 4 p.m. Saturday inside an engineering building while final exams were underway, one of the busiest periods of the academic year.
In addition to the two fatalities, nine people were wounded.
University officials said one victim has been released from the hospital, seven remain hospitalized in critical but stable condition, and one remains in critical condition.
Providence Police Chief Col. Oscar Perez said Sunday that no charges have been filed, and the investigation remains ongoing.
A previously detained person of interest, Benjamin Warren Erickson, was taken into custody at a hotel in Coventry, Rhode Island, but was later released after investigators determined he was not involved in the shooting.
Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha acknowledged that early evidence appeared to point in that direction but later proved otherwise.
He also criticized the premature public release of the individual’s name, noting the lasting harm such disclosures can cause.
Authorities emphasized that the gunman remains at large, and law enforcement agencies at the local, state, and federal levels continue to actively pursue leads as the investigation continues.
Orlando, Fla. — Family and friends of 33-year-old Julien Emmanuel Cruz are seeking answers and accountability following his fatal shooting outside a popular LGBTQ+ nightclub early Sunday morning.
According to the Orlando Police Department, officers responded at approximately 2:31 a.m. on February 22, 2026, to the 1900 block of North Orange Avenue, just north of Lake Ivanhoe, in reference to a reported shooting.
Upon arrival, officers located Cruz suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. He was transported to a local hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries. Authorities confirmed Cruz was born May 18, 1992.
Detectives determined that prior to the shooting, Cruz and the suspect were involved in a verbal and physical altercation on the sidewalk outside the nightclub district. Investigators say that during the dispute, the suspect retrieved a firearm from his vehicle and shot Cruz.
The suspect fled the scene in a vehicle, which patrol officers later located in the 200 block of East New Hampshire Avenue, approximately two blocks from where the shooting occurred.
Police subsequently arrested 37-year-old Jean Gabriel Borja Gil De La Madr (DOB: October 29, 1988). He has been charged with Second Degree Murder with a Firearm. Authorities confirmed this case marks the third homicide in Orlando in 2026.
Cruz’s father, Anthony Cruz, said his son and his partner had been at Savoy Orlando enjoying the evening before the violence unfolded.
According to the family, as the couple exited the club after closing time, a vehicle sped past them. Cruz’s partner allegedly yelled toward the occupants of the vehicle, prompting the car to stop. A physical altercation then reportedly began between Cruz’s partner and one of the individuals from the vehicle.
“When they fought, my son saw that was happening. My son went to intervene, and when he intervened, another guy got out of the car, and he got shot,” Anthony Cruz said. “My son didn’t deserve what happened. All I have left is a shirt — a shirt with a bullet hole.”
While police have charged Borja Gil De La Madr, Cruz’s family maintains that another individual may have been directly responsible for pulling the trigger. Authorities have not publicly confirmed whether additional suspects are being sought.
A small memorial has formed across from the nightclub, where members of the community have gathered to honor Cruz’s memory.
Joshua Cooper, owner of Savoy Orlando, said the tragedy has deeply impacted the LGBTQ+ community, even though the shooting occurred off the club’s property.
“I didn’t know the victim, but from everything I’ve been told, I wish I had,” Cooper said. “He seemed like a great kid. Seeing a family that is so heartbroken and so supportive of this community says so much.”
The Orlando Police Department has not released additional information regarding potential additional suspects. Detectives continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the altercation and shooting.
Anyone with information related to this case is encouraged to contact the Orlando Police Department or Crimeline.
The investigation remains active.